PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to ZD 1839 No active infection No other uncontrolled illness No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study